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Periodontal Disease Treatment Maintenance

Periodontal Disease Treatment Maintenance

Follow-up appointments will be recommended to keep an eye on the healing progress. If improvement is not seen over time, a visit to a periodontist specialist may be in order. Medicated rinses, consistent flossing and using an electric toothbrush are some of the home treatments suggested as well.

Scaling and Root Planing Procedure

Scaling and Root Planing

Some cases of acute periodontal or gum disease that do not respond to more conventional treatment and self-care such as flossing may require a special kind of cleaning called scaling and root planing.

Scaling and root planing procedure begins with administration of a local anesthetic to reduce any discomfort. Then, a small instrument called a "scaler," or an ultrasonic cleaner, is used to clean beneath your gum line to remove plaque and tartar.

The root surfaces on the tooth are then planed and smoothed. If effective, scaling and root planing helps the gums reattach themselves to the tooth structure.  Additional measures may be needed if the periodontal pockets persist after scaling and root planing.

Types of Periodontal Therapy

Types of Periodontal Therapy

Our team offers a few, non-surgical methods for managing advanced stages of gum disease. Utilizing the latest technology, we can help clean away and remove infected tissue while also removing tartar accumulation above and below the gum line.

One common method for treating gum disease involves deep cleanings such as root scaling and planing. This treatment involves removing tartar buildup that accumulates below the gum line and along the roots of teeth. Root scaling and planing is necessary for removing tartar, a calcified form of plaque that cannot be removed with flossing or brushing alone.

Another way to access the innermost areas of the gums and remove infected gingival tissue is with the help of a laser. Using a specific wavelength of light with tiny fibers attached to it, lasers can open the gums and seal them without the need for sutures. Laser therapy also helps regenerate new gum tissue and healthy reattachment to teeth.

With regular deep cleanings through laser therapy and root scaling or planing along with proper oral hygiene, patients can enjoy a reduction in the size of periodontal pockets while improving overall gum health.

For those who have lost significant gum tissue to periodontal disease, soft tissue grafts may be necessary. Soft tissue grafts are conducted by taking tissue from another area of the mouth and transplanting it to the affected area to replace lost gum tissue.

Arestin

You may have heard about gum disease, also known as "periodontitis" or "periodontal disease." Maybe a dental professional or hygienist recently told you that you have this infection.

Arestin is an antibiotic that is used to treat periodontal disease.  Periodontal disease is, in part, an infection that has formed below the gum line.  Arestin is applied directly to these pockets of infection, stopping the infection very quickly.

But do you really know the difference between periodontal disease and other types of complications that can affect your mouth, such as gingivitis?

Do you know why it's so important to treat periodontal disease-and why brushing and flossing alone won't do the trick?

And did you know that periodontal disease is today's  number one cause of tooth loss among American adults? Although a causal relationship between periodontal disease and an elevated risk for systemic events has not been established,recent data suggest a possible association between periodontal disease and other health issues including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and preterm low birth-weight babies?

Arestin® (minocycline hydrochloride) Microspheres, 1 mg is an effective antibiotic treatment that comes in powder form. This powder is placed inside infected periodontal pockets just after the dental professional finishes the scaling and root planing procedure.

Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy

Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy

Non-surgical periodontal therapy can be used during the beginning stages of gum disease. We clean the infected area thoroughly, removing debris and bacteria to detoxify the soft tissue. We then modify the tooth root to make it harder for problem-causing bacteria to make a home in the area going forward.

Periodontal Disease Risks

Periodontal Disease Risks

Several risk factors can increase a patient’s chance of developing periodontal disease. First, poor oral hygiene can contribute to the occurrence of periodontal disease, as well as tobacco use.

Patients who have diabetes or other systemic diseases may be at a higher risk for gum disease, as well as those who are on specific types of medications, such as oral contraceptives, steroids, and cancer therapy drugs.

Patients who are pregnant and experiencing a drastic change in their hormones may also notice an increase in inflammation and bleeding which signals that periodontal disease is forming.

Crown Lengthening Procedure

Crown Lengthening Procedure

When decay occurs below the gumline, it may be necessary to remove a small amount of bone and gum tissue. Your dentist may ask for this procedure before he or she makes a new crown for your tooth.

Crown Lengthening procedures are done for both restorative dentistry and/or to improve the esthetics of your gum line. General practitioners often refer for crown lengthening procedures prior to restoration of broken or severely decayed teeth. Crown lengthening procedure adjusts the gum and bone level to expose more of the tooth so it can be restored.

Sometimes crown lengthening is done to improve a "gummy" smile because the teeth appear short. The teeth may actually be the proper length but excess gum tissue may be covering these teeth. During this procedure, excess gum and bone tissue is reshaped to expose more of the natural tooth.